Hey y'all. Sorry it took me so long to update this. I apologize profusely. I know that you all have been anxious to see what happens and I have taken too long to post this chapter. Again, I am sorry.

I want to thank all of you who reviewed last chapter. There's too many of you to name, but just know that I appreciate it. Usually I would send out individual thank you's to everybody, but right now I am very pressed for time and am unable to do that. However, next chapter I will send out each thank you.

Now, I know that y'all are tired of reading my author's note, so now, I will let you go and read the story. I hope you enjoy.

Chapter Twenty-one

Juliana brushed the hair out of her eyes; her fingers streaking the pale skin of her forehead with dirt. She knelt and continued her gardening. The soil was still warm, despite the chill of winter in the air, and damp. Juliana relished in the way the earth surrounded her hands and squished between her fingers as she dug out the few vegetables remaining in the garden.

She hummed quietly as she tossed vegetable after vegetable into the basket at her side. A faint smile pulled at her lips as she recognized the song as one she'd heard the night before. In fact, it had been the song playing just before she and Galahad kissed. Juliana's smile widened at the thought of that night and the kisses they had shared.

Since that night, Juliana had been going through the hours in a dream-like state. Things were more wonderful than she could ever have imagined. Her heart was mended and she was now with the man she loved. What could be more perfect?

"A more beautiful sight I've never seen."

Juliana started at the sound of the familiar voice. She whipped her head around, beaming. Galahad stood behind her, white teeth showing behind his dark beard in a smile that matched her own. Juliana stood and quickly walked the short distance between them. She threw her arms around Galahad and buried her face in the crook of his neck, breathing in his rich scent. He laughed and wrapped his arms about her waist, holding her tightly against him. His lips covered her hair and the top of her head in kisses, and Juliana smiled.

So this is love, she thought as she gently laid a kiss on Galahad's neck, feeling his pulse pound beneath her lips. Never in a million years would I have thought it would be so wonderful.

Galahad wiped the sweat from his brow and lifted his sword up to parry the blow that Bors aimed at his neck. The edges of their blunt swords crashed together, sending a jolt up Galahad's arm and a loud clang echoing through the air. A loud cry rose from Bors' children, who had gathered to watch the fight. They cheered their father on, while taunting Galahad in the process.

The fight continued on for endless minutes, neither knight gaining the upper hand. Until, finally, Galahad spotted a fault in Bors' movements and quickly brought his sword up under the other knight's, effectively knocking the sword from his opponent's hand.

The two friends stood panting in the center of the practice ring, both tired from their battle. The sound of clapping carried to Galahad's ears and he turned to see Juliana standing at the fence, a basket of laundry resting at her feet and a wide smile on her face. Grinning, Galahad made his way towards her.

"Come to watch my victory, have you?" He asked, leaning against the fence.

"Oh yes indeed," Juliana smirked. "It's not everyday I see you actually win a fight."

Galahad laughed loudly and reached for her over the fence.

"Come here you and let me show you how we punish people for their insolence." He pulled Juliana towards him and kissed her soundly. It felt wonderful to be able to kiss her as he wished without having to hide his love for her. Galahad had never felt so free in his life.

With a chuckle, Juliana pulled away from him, her eyes shining with love.

"Tell me, "she whispered, leaning her forehead against his, "if I continue to insult you, will this always be the punishment?"

"Oh yes," Galahad replied with a smirk, "this," he kissed her quickly, then added in a husky whisper, "and so much more."

Juliana pulled away from him, a frown on her face and her cheeks coloring at his insinuation.

"Galahad," she said, her tone serious, "just because I have left the church does not mean that I have forgotten my faith or my beliefs. I will not share a bed with a man unless that man is my husband."

Galahad dropped his eyes from hers and looked down at his boots. He had known not to say what he had, and yet he had said it anyway. He couldn't help himself. Juliana stirred his blood in a way that no other woman ever had. He wanted her in his bed; he wanted to show her just how good love could feel. He had known that he would be pushing her if he made any mention of them having a more…intimate relationship. But he loved Juliana so much and he wanted to show her that love.

Any normal man would have just taken her by now without a thought to her wishes. At least Galahad was giving her the choice of coming to his bed. Why wasn't that what Juliana saw? Why, instead, did she have to focus on the fact that he was even asking her to break from her convictions? Did she not love him as deeply as he loved her? Was that why she resisted him?

Galahad remembered clearly the night of the harvest festival. Juliana had nearly given herself to him then. They had been so close to fulfilling the actions that Galahad dreamed of. If only he could make Juliana feel now the way that she had that night. Perhaps than she would be more willing to enter his bed.

No, Galahad mentally shook himself; I will not trick Juliana into this. If she truly loves me than she will eventually give herself to me. And when she did that, Galahad had no doubt in his mind that it would be the sweetest love making he had ever had.

She had gone to the market for her mother and, on her way back had decided to surprise Galahad with a visit. He had been testy the night before at the party, and Zephaniah wanted to make sure that things were right between them once more. But as she had turned the corner to make her way towards the practice yard where she knew Galahad would be, she stumbled upon a sight that she wished she'd never seen.

Zephaniah stood in the shadows as Galahad kissed Guinevere's new maid. Red hot anger flowed through her veins. What right did Galahad have to kiss another woman when it was Zephaniah who shared his bed at night?

Perfect red lips turned down in a frown, Zephaniah watched as the maid pulled away from Galahad. The scene was so sickening Zephaniah could feel her stomach revolting. In fact, the nausea was so intense; it was all she could do to keep from vomiting right then and there. She placed a work calloused hand over her stomach, shocked that the nausea was so extreme. A thin sheen of sweat broke out over her forehead and Zephaniah could no longer hold back the bile that rose in her throat.

She turned from the scene in front of her and emptied her stomach into the bushes that lay against the side of Arthur's home.

When the nausea finally passed, Zephaniah stood on shaky legs and wiped a hand across her mouth. She turned back towards the training yard. The maid was gone and Galahad was back to practicing with Bors, a disgruntled look upon his face and anger fueling his attack. At the fury with which he attacked, Zephaniah could not help but wonder what had passed between the knight and the maid while she had not been looking.

So, what did you guys think? Please review and share your thoughts and opinions with me.

PS. Sorry it's so short.